Boat retaining and releasing device



7 I 1,625,736 Apnl 1927' cs. MENEFEE BOAT RETAINING AND RELEASING DEVICE File J ne 11. 1926 a Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTOR N EY April 1927' e. MENEFEE BOAT RETAINING AND RELEASING DEVICE Filed June 11. 1926 mmmulm un 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 W6 BY ATTORNEY 1,625,736 G. MENEFEE sou RETAINING AND ammsms DEVICE April 19 1927.-

Filed June 11, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 n a V ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 19, 1 .9127.

UltlTED GUS MEITEFEE, OF ATLANTA, GEORGIA.

BOAT RETAIENING AND RELEASING DEVICE.

Application filed June 11,

The object of this invention is to provide means whereby the block and tall at both the b and stern of a liit'eboat, or other boat launched from the side oi? a ship, may be released at the same time. by the operation of a single lever, the apparatus also permittting ot the l'GlGtioQ ot the block and tall at oneend independently of the other.

A further object is to e'tl'ect this result by the use oi slidable bolts adapted to engage hooks connected respectively with the axial element of each block or sheave. special means being provided tor controllingthe bolts and operating them together or independently. as desired. Vith the foregoing" and other objects in view. the invention consists in the novel constructnm and arrangement oi elements described illustrated and claimed. it being understood that modifications may be made within the scopeof the claims. without dcpartinr; from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings forming part of this application,

Figure l is a view showing; aboat in side elevation, with the special attaching and releasing means herein disclosed, the lever operated rock shattappearing in dotted line being; adapted to release the engaging devices fore and aft at the same time.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view in vertical section showing the manner of mounting and controlling the slidable bolt. or triggel.

Figure 3 is a section on line 3--3 of Figure 2-, and on an enlarged scale.

Figure t is a section on line l-st 0t Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a perspective view, showing a spring operated device adapted to engage the slidable element retaining the hook.

Figure 6 is a detail view showing means for rotating the gear wheel engaging the rack of Figure 2, which rack operates with the slidable element engaging the hook.

Figure 7 is a section on line 7*? 0t Figure 2.

Figure 8 is a section on line 88 of Fig ure 1.

The boat 10 is suspended by blocks and falls, and the hooks 11 include shanks rotatable by handles 12 independently of the U- frames or blocks 13 which mount the sheaves 14:. Springs 15 interposed between collars 16 and the U-trames, cause the hooks to clear 1926. Serial NO. 115,308.

the retaining means when the latter are released.

liohs 17 operating as planners in cylin ders 18 formed in homesing l9 engage the hooks 11 and retain the latter, the housing being incloscd to prevent so far as possible, the entrance ot' water and the resulting formation of ice in severe weather. 7

The bolts 1'? include rack members 18 enn an ed by gear wheels '20 mounted on shafts Q1 rotatable in bearings 22 tormed in brackets 23.

Elements 21 constitute rock Shafts, and movement imparted thereto by arms 2d, slotted at 25 and terminating in pedals such as 26. Pressure on the pedals, imparting rotary movement to gear wheels 20 produces the release of bolts or plungcrs 17 from the hooks ll. thereby releasingthe heat.

This construction is employed at the bow and stern of the boat 10, and it will be oh served that the pedals serve to control the release ot either bolt or plunger 17 independently ot the other. and that. the plunger is normally held in engaging position by spring hearing; against the inner end of element 17 and against a threaded and adjustable cap 31.

In order to release both bolts 1'7 at one time, I connect with the slotted portion 25 of each arm or lever 24. a link or the like, 33. having; pivotal connection with rod 34. which in turn has connection thru a shortlinlr with an arm 36 rigid with reference to rock shaft 37 extending longitudinally of the boat, in the bottom thereof. This shaft 37 may he rocked by means ot hand lever 38, for releasing both engaging devices 17, and theretore releasing the boat from the the launching means. When either pedal 26 is opera ted. direct movement is imparted to shaft 21 and to gear wheel 20 and rack bar 18. and therefore to bolt 17. tor releasing the latter. The slot 25 in arm 2% permits of this independent movement.

in vertically movable element it), shown in perspective in Figure 5, includes a concave portion 41 and ribs on the side these ribs being adapted to operate in grooves 43, serving as guides. Face element. 4L0, termed a trigger, includes a stem surrounded by a spring 455, the latter imparting upward thrust to element sit), and a pin as passes thru slot 4E7 in stem at. and acts as a retaining device. Element ll) retains bolt 17 when the latter is retracted, for the hook releasing operation, in which spring 30 is compressed. In the engaging operation, hook 11 presses trigger 4O downwardly and trees bolt- 17 which advances under springaction and engages hook 11.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1.111 apparatus of the class described, boat launching means including a block and fall and a hook connected with the block. a bolt for engaging the hook, a pedal, means operatively connected with the pedal for re leasin the bolt from the hook, and means independently operated for releasing! said bolt, and means retaining the bolt inactive, the retaining means being; releasable by the hook.

2. In apparatus of the class described, boa-t launching means including a block and fall and a hook connected with the block and rotatable with reference thereto, a bolt for engaging the hook, a spring bearing; on said bolt and holding the same in operative position, and rack and pinion mechanism for controlling the movement of the bolt against the action of the spring, a pedal controlling each rack and pinion mechanism, and a rock shaft operatively connected with the pedals.

3. In apparatus of the class described, means including a hook for suspending a boat, a slidable member for engaging and retaining the hook, resiliently mounted means hearing against said slidable member at a point adjacent to the engagement thercof, by the hook, and movable acrossthe path of the slidable member, a rack connected with the slidable member, a gear wheel engaging the rack. and devices independently operated for imparting movement to the gear Wheel.

l. In apparatus of the class dcscribciil, boat launching means including a plurality of hooks, bolts slidably mounted and adaptcd to engage the hooks, pedal operated means {or throwing the bolts separately, and rock sha't't operated means for throwing said bolts simultaneously to hook releasing position.

In testimony whereof I alliz; my signature.

GUS MENEFEE. 

